chapter 23: Receiving his first mission

The first warrior, a tall brute with a spiked mace, sneered and lunged at Xavier. But before he could even swing, Xavier used Soul Dash, disappearing from his line of sight. A heartbeat later, Xavier reappeared behind him, delivering a punishing strike to his legs with the blunt end of his spear, dropping him to the ground with a thud.

The second warrior, wielding a pair of daggers, charged in with rapid, precise strikes. Xavier blocked each one effortlessly, the sound of metal clashing ringing out. With a quick spin, he used the spear's haft to disarm the assailant, then struck him in the chest with enough force to send him flying backward.

The remaining two warriors, visibly shaken, tried to attack in unison. One used a flaming whip, while the other wielded a heavy war axe. Xavier dodged their synchronized assault with ease, weaving between their strikes like a ghost. Summoning the energy of his Infernal Blade, Xavier delivered a blazing spear thrust, knocking the axe-wielder unconscious.

The last warrior hesitated, his whip crackling with fire. Before he could make his next move, Xavier's spear glowed ominously, its infernal energy pulsating. With one swift motion, Xavier thrust the spear into the ground, sending a wave of energy that knocked the final warrior off his feet, slamming him into a nearby pillar.

Xavier stood in the center of the courtyard, his spear glowing faintly as he surveyed the unconscious bodies of the four noble 9 warriors scattered around him. His anger still burned, but he kept it in check as he turned to Mara and Eddie.

Both of them were battered and bruised, but they managed weak smiles as Xavier knelt beside them.

"You two okay?" Xavier asked, his voice softer now.

"We are now," Eddie coughed, trying to sit up. "Thanks, Xavier. I thought we were done for."

Mara wiped blood from the corner of her mouth, her eyes glistening with gratitude. "You always show up just in time."

Xavier helped them both to their feet, his gaze lingering on the crowd that had gathered during the fight. Among the onlookers, he noticed whispers and uneasy glances. It was clear his display of strength had drawn attention—both good and bad.

Before leaving the scene, Xavier turned to the fallen warriors. Though unconscious, he addressed the crowd:

"Let this be a warning to anyone who thinks they can hurt my friends. Next time, you won't get off so easily."

The courtyard was silent, save for the murmur of retreating students. Xavier's presence, now bolstered by his growing reputation, was undeniable.

As he helped Mara and Eddie back to the medical ward, a new thought settled in his mind. The enemies he faced were no longer just faceless obstacles—they were growing more personal and more dangerous. Alexander Reyes' shadow loomed larger than ever.

In the medical bay, Mara and Eddie were being treated by the Academy healers when the doors burst open. Felix and Jessica rushed in, their faces etched with concern. Jessica knelt by Mara's side, her hands trembling as she inspected the bruises on her friend's arms.

"What happened?" Jessica demanded, her voice laced with worry.

Eddie, wincing as a healer tended to his injuries, replied, "Four noble-ranked warriors thought they could take us down. If Xavier hadn't shown up when he did… we wouldn't be here to tell the story."

Felix clenched his fists, pacing the room. "I told you those bullies were trouble. They're getting bolder, and it's no coincidence this happened after Alexander's latest stunt. It's his doing, even if he didn't show his face."

Jessica's expression darkened. "Alexander might be confined to campus, but he's still pulling strings. He's trying to send a message."

As the group continued their conversation, a messenger arrived, bowing deeply. "Xavier, Lord Cedric requests your presence immediately."

Jessica gave Xavier a worried look as he stood, his face calm but resolute. "Be careful," she said softly. "If Cedric called for you, it must be important."

"I'll be fine," Xavier assured her before following the messenger out.

In Lord Cedric's chamber, the seasoned master awaited Xavier with a grave expression. His piercing gaze met Xavier's as he motioned for him to sit.

"Xavier, you've been making waves—both in your accomplishments and your enemies," Cedric began. "The fight today in the courtyard was reckless, but I understand why you acted. That said, your strength is only going to attract more trouble, and trouble often has friends."

Xavier frowned. "Are you talking about Alexander Reyes?"

Cedric nodded, his voice low. "Yes. While Alexander is confined to campus, his influence stretches far. He's surrounded by allies—strong ones. And if he can't deal with you himself, I guarantee he's already plotting ways to make your life harder through others."

The room fell silent for a moment before Cedric leaned forward. "Which brings me to your next mission. You'll be heading to a dungeon—a high-risk area where only the best outer disciples are sent. The goal is to retrieve an artifact that the Academy has been searching for. But I won't sugarcoat it: this mission is dangerous."

Xavier remained calm, his resolve unshaken. "I've faced danger before. What's different this time?"

Cedric's gaze hardened. "The difference is that Alexander knows about this mission. I suspect he or his allies may try to sabotage you. You must remain vigilant, Xavier. This isn't just about the dungeon—it's about surviving long enough to return."

Cedric stood and placed a hand on Xavier's shoulder. "That's why I'm assigning Jessica to join you. She's one of the few people I trust to have your back."

Xavier hesitated for a moment, then nodded. "Jessica's strong, and I know she'll fight beside me without hesitation. I'll make sure we both come back safely."

Cedric's expression softened slightly. "Good. You've come far, Xavier, but this will test everything you've learned. Prepare yourself and use the next few days wisely."

When Xavier returned to the medical bay, Jessica and Felix were still tending to Mara and Eddie. He shared Cedric's words, and Jessica's expression grew serious.

"So, it's confirmed," she said. "Alexander is still scheming, and now he has allies ready to take his place outside campus. This dungeon mission isn't just a test—it's a battlefield."

Felix leaned against the wall, his arms crossed. "You're not going in alone, though. With Jessica by your side, you'll have a better chance. Just watch your back out there. If Alexander's pawns show up, they won't fight fair."

Mara, her voice weak but determined, added, "And when you're done with this mission, we'll train harder. All of us. Next time, they won't catch us off guard."

Xavier gave them all a reassuring nod. "We'll get through this. Together."

As he and Jessica left to prepare for the mission, a sense of unease lingered in the air. The dungeon loomed ahead, but the shadow of Alexander's influence felt just as threatening. Xavier tightened his grip on his spear, vowing silently that no matter what dangers lay ahead, he would emerge stronger—and alive.